NSG 522 Epidemiology/Biostats Midterm
Epidemiology - ANS-The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related
states and events in specified populations and the application of knowledge to the
control of health problems
Key focus on population health
Descriptive Epidemiology vs Analytic Epidemiology - ANS-Descriptive: focuses on
distribution; the frequency and pattern AKA "who, what, where, when"
Analytic: focuses on the determinants; causes
6 Core Functions of Epidemiology - ANS-1. Surveillance
2. Field investigations
3. Analytical studies
4. Evaluations
5. Linkages
6. Policy
The first four addresses investigative, research, and evaluative functions to identify and
describe distribution and determinants
Efficacy vs Effectiveness - ANS-Efficacy is under ideal conditions - measures outcomes
in participants only
Effectiveness is in real world settings. Shows how realistic interventions are (ie too hard,
disliking, don't care, etc).
Variable - ANS-The characteristic being measured/observed which can vary and
assume different values
Dependent Variable - ANS-Outcome factor, may have more than one outcome
, Conceptual vs Operational Definition of Variables - ANS-Conceptual: dictionary
definition, general understanding of what something is
Operational: how the variable will be measured, tells you how to administer, score, and
interpret meaning
Example: Depression dictionary definition vs formal survey
Reliability vs Validity - ANS-Reliability: repeatability and reproducibility. Does it always
yield the same results when repeated? EX: scales
Validity: accuracy of data. Does it truly measure the variable I'm looking for? EX:
troponin for MI
Categorical Variables - ANS-Categories; can't be finely measured. Considered
qualitative
Includes nominal and ordinal variables
Nominal Variables - ANS-Categorical
Assigned based off names. There is no meaning/ranking to these groups
Ex: gender, race
Ordinal Variables - ANS-Categorical
Assigned based off order. There IS a ranking, but can't be defined by "how much"
Ex: pain rating, cancer stages
Continuous Variables - ANS-Scale level variables. Considered quantitative. Numbers
have assigned meaning and intervals between numbers are equal
Interval Variables - ANS-Continuous
Has no meaningful zero/absence of value. Has negative numbers.
Example: temperature (there is no 'absence of temp' and you can get negative temps)
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